How Long Should A Short Story Be?

How Long Should A Short Story Be?

How long can a story be before it’s no longer a short story?

Or what’s the maximum short story length for flash fiction?

If you’re a fiction writer, you’re already familiar with the distinction between short stories, novellas, and novels.

But now that short stories themselves have sub-species of different lengths, how do you know which is which?

Do those stories you see in your Twitter feed from fellow writers qualify as short stories?

In other words, if there’s a maximum length for a short story, is there also a minimum one?

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How To Create A Back Cover Blurb That Sells Your Book

woman writing and thinking how to write the back cover of a book

Walk into any bookstore, and you’ll see thousands upon thousands of book spines staring at you.

For the average person who is “looking for a good read,” that means they’ll be scanning titles to see which ones appeal to them (usually with their head cocked to the left, to read those titles).

When they come across one that sounds interesting, they’ll pull it off the shelf and examine the cover.

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All You Need To Know About Writing A Book Epigraph + Examples

book epigraph what is an epigraph in a book

You’ve run across epigraphs that made you smile — and some that sent a chill up your spine. 

You have some idea of what it is, but what purpose does an epigraph serve

You’ve felt the words of a well-chosen epigraph draw you in immediately, setting a specific mood, foreshadowing elements of a story, or hinting at a theme.

How do you create the same magic for your book? 

Read on to find out. 

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19 Can’t-Put-Down Dystopian Books Like 1984

Are you looking for books similar to 1984, George Orwell’s magnum opus? 

If so, you’ve crash-landed into the right spot.

Our team curated a list of 19 novels for readers searching for stories that tackle similar issues to those explored in Orwell’s satirical, social-science classic. 

Some titles are more lighthearted than others, and our list spans decades and demographics. 

In other words: There’s variety, and we hope you find something that hits your literary spot!

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What Is An Appendix And How To Write One For Your Book

open book what is an appendix in a book

You’ve got some great content you want to add to your book.

But you’re not sure if including it in the main body of your work is a good idea. 

Though it’s helpful and interesting (at least to you), it would interrupt the flow of the chapter it supports.

Plus, it’s not essential for understanding your book.

But it does add something you think is pretty special. 

So, you’re thinking, “Is this appendix material?”

Read on to find out. 

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37 Self-Publishing Resources, Tools, and Assets To Accelerate Success

self publishing tools


As much time as we writers spend alone behind our computers tap, tap, tapping away, one thing is certain: we just can’t do it alone.

The business of writing, designing, editing, publishing, marketing, and selling your books requires the kindness of strangers — or at least a little help from your online friends who offer various products, services, and insights to help you stay focused, motivated, and up-to-speed on the ever-changing self-publishing landscape.

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Writing With Irony: 15 Examples Of Irony In Literature

romeo and juliet examples of irony in literature

People throw around the word “irony” a lot, but its exact definition eludes many.

In their seminal work, The King’s English, the Fowler brothers (aka, the GOATS of grammar) define irony as something in which “the surface meaning and the underlying meaning of what is said are not the same.” 

As a literary skill, irony adds tantalizing dimensions to plots and characters. Moreover, using it makes for clever and engaging writing. 

So today, we’re examining the nuts and bolts of irony and how to incorporate it into your work.

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